Spiders smother Temple with “exceptional” defensive effort

Tuesday, November 22

Brooklyn, NY

7:00 PM

University of Richmond

3-3,0-0Atlantic 10

Temple

2-4,0-0AAC

Temple

Richmond

Spiders smother Temple with “exceptional” defensive effort

11/23/2022 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Richmond Spiders men's basketball team challenged nearly every shot, grabbed nearly every contested rebound, and came up with nearly every loose ball in a 61-49 win vs Temple Tuesday, putting together a defensive effort "as good as I can remember," according to head coach Chris Mooney.

Facing their former Atlantic 10 rival in the consolation game of the Empire Classic at the Barclays Center, Richmond held Temple to a season-low 49 points, more than 25 points below the Owls season average entering the game.

"Our defense was exceptional. That's a really talented team. They can score. They can make hard shots," said Mooney. "There were no possessions where there wasn't a crowd around the driver, a crowd going for the rebound."

The Spiders used a full-court defensive scheme and frequent double teams when Temple threw the ball into the post to force 16 turnovers, Richmond's most in any game this season.

"Playing full-court defense helps you keep that aggression going," said Tyler Burton, who had two blocks and a steal along with a team-high 18 points. "It helps keep the team energized and make sure that we're not getting complacent with little leads, like seven-point leads or eight-point leads especially with five to six minutes left on the clock where teams can close that gap super quick. The full court defense is really helpful in that it keeps us attacking the whole game."

Both Burton and Mooney credited Marcus Randolph with energizing the Spiders lineup. Randolph came off the bench to play a career-high 21 minutes, with Richmond outscoring Temple by 25 points when he was on the floor.

"His best game as a Spider," said Mooney of Randolph. "He was terrific. He enabled us to play a little smaller because he's tough enough and physical enough to bang with big guys and quick enough to guard on the perimeter."

"Anytime Marcus comes on the court is a good time," said Burton. "He's a really passionate guy and one of our toughest guys as well. So whenever he can get in that game and start talking a little smack and get the guys going it's great."

Richmond fell into a 16-7 hole over the game's first 11 minutes before the Spiders rallied with a 15-0 run that included baskets from six different players and gave UR a 22-16 lead with four minutes left in the first half.

Richmond led 27-21 at halftime and extended its lead to eight before Temple connected on five of its next six shots from behind the three-point line to turn an eight-point deficit into a three-point lead at 36-33 with 13:31 remaining.

Burton provided the Spiders answer. He converted an old-fashioned three-point play to tie the game at 36 and start a 15-3 Richmond that featured two more buckets from the Spiders senior.

A layup by Neal Quinn with 6:06 to play made the score 51-39 in favor of the Spiders. Temple wouldn't get any closer than 10 down the stretch as Richmond cruised to a 61-49 win.

Burton finished with 18 points on 8-17 shooting from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line.

"He was very aggressive," said Mooney of Burton. "He has a lot of pride. He has a lot of pride in being a Richmond Spider. He has a lot of pride in being the best guy. Tonight he really showed that and was really terrific."

Jason Nelson added 13 points for Richmond and Andre Gustavson finished with a season-high 12 points, one shy of his career high.

With the win, Richmond improved to 3-3 this season, marking the 16^th time in 18 seasons under Chris Mooney UR has been .500 or better through six games.

"I think we're in a really good spot," said Burton. "I still think we're right where we need to be, right where I thought we were going to be. We're going to keep getting better. Last year we had guys step up when we didn't expect it. We've got a lot of young guys who haven't stepped up yet and they're just going to keep incrementally improving as the season moves on."

Richmond will be off for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Spiders next game is Wednesday, November 30 at Toledo.